Burros deliver huge Homecoming win over Silverado

RIDGECREST — Burroughs picked the perfect time to deliver its best performance of the season. The Burros beat Eastern Division No. 10-ranked Silverado 21-16 Friday night at Sherman E. Burroughs Stadium, a Homecoming victory that moves them a big step closer to the DSL championship.

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By Anthony GentileSPORTS EDITORagentile@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Anthony GentileSPORTS EDITORagentile@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Oct. 28, 2013 at 3:31 PM

By Anthony GentileSPORTS EDITORagentile@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Oct. 28, 2013 at 3:31 PM

RIDGECREST — Burroughs picked the perfect time to deliver its best performance of the season. The Burros beat Eastern Division No. 10-ranked Silverado 21-16 Friday night at Sherman E. Burroughs Stadium, a Homecoming victory that moves them a big step closer to the DSL championship.

"We really wanted this game — we all were pumped, came out and did what we were supposed to do," Burros senior Tyron Jones said. "We felt comfortable in this game — we felt we could come out and destroy and that's what we did."

Burroughs (5-3, 4-0 DSL) led 21-10 after Jones ran back a kickoff for a touchdown midway through the third quarter, and relied on its defense to close out the victory. Burros safety Josh Sutton intercepted passes in the final minute of the third and fourth quarters, the last of which sealed the win.

"The defense was playing so well that I thought if we could work the clock and get a couple of first downs that our defense could win it for us," Mather said.

Facing a fourth-and-2 near midfield, Burroughs decided to let its defense win the game by punting the ball to Silverado (5-3, 2-1) instead of going for it. The decision paid off on the first play following the punt, as Sutton intercepted a deep pass by Hawks quarterback Sam Taylor along the Burros' sideline.

"They tried to do what they were doing every week — every time they've been trying to go long they've been going with that (slant-and-go route), and I just wanted to get back, cover it and make sure we came home with the win," Sutton said. "I put it all out for my team. They mean the most to me and I'll do anything to help us win."

Burroughs led 14-3 at halftime, and both of its first-half touchdowns came off Silverado turnovers. The Burros forced three turnovers in the opening two quarters.

On the Hawks' first offensive play of the game, Burros linebacker Isaiah Ramon stripped running back Qunicel Neal-Riles and Burroughs recovered the ball at the 19-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Ryan Sanford opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run that put Burroughs ahead 7-0 with 6:38 left in the first quarter — and ended Silverado's streak of 13 consecutive shutout quarters.

Midway through the second quarter, safety Tommy Hope intercepted a pass that put Burroughs at the Silverado 39-yard line. The Burros drove that distance in seven plays, and took a 14-0 lead on a 5-yard slant pass from Sanford to tight end Richie Villa with 6:26 remaining before halftime.

In the final minute of the first half, Taylor completed a 72-yard pass to receiver Mikeo Bonam that put the Hawks at the Burroughs' 2-yard line. Burroughs' defense kept Silverado out of the end zone on two straight plays, and with three seconds left the Hawks opted for a field goal that made it 14-3 at the break.

Page 2 of 2 - Midway through the third quarter, Silverado took to the air for another big play. Taylor connected with wide-open receiver Keyair Parker on the first play after a Burroughs punt for a 42-yard score that cut the Burros' lead to 14-10.

On the ensuing kickoff, Burroughs answered with a big play of its own. Jones took the kick and raced 95 yards through the middle of the field for a touchdown that put the Burros back ahead by two scores. By the time he reached midfield, Jones was all alone on the way to his third return for a score since the start of league play.

"They all spread to the left and the right, that hole opened up, and I just burst through," Jones said. "Iwas trying to make sure nobody caught me — I kicked it into second gear."

The victory is Burroughs' first over Silverado in three seasons, and gives the Burros control of the Desert Sky League with one league contest remaining. The Burros ended their losing streak against the Hawks with a physical performance.

"We were way more physical than them," Mather said. "We're a very physical team — we're laying guys on the field every game."

Burroughs' defense played its best game of the season on Friday night, shutting down Silverado with the exception of a few big plays. The Hawks were without their best offensive player — running back PJ Hanchett — and Neal-Riles rushed for 100 yards on 18 carries. Silverado had trouble throwing the ball without Bonam, who left in the second half with a knee injury.

Burroughs was confident it could run the ball against Silverado, and did exactly that in the victory. The Burros ran for 191 yards, led by running back Trevor Baker's 118 yards on 25 carries.

Burroughs returns to action Friday night at Sherman E. Burroughs Stadium against Victor Valley at 7 p.m. The Burros can win the DSL championship outright with a victory over the Jackrabbits.

"We all wanted this since we were little, and we've all been practicing for this since we were in IWV — winning the league championship in our senior year," Jones said.